I need help picking out a Stanhopea

[Narnia]

I just started collecting orchids several months ago and before finding the OB, my knowledge of the different genus was very limited. But, once I discovered this place I realized I was in trouble because now I have all sorts of new wants. The main one I have been drooling over for the last couple months has been Stanhopeas. I think they're amazing.

The only reason I haven't already run out and purchased one is that hanging them above my carpet in my rented apartment seems like asking for a moldy disaster, but I've finally come up with a plan. I'm going to modify one of those three tiered hanging baskets for veggies to have a Stanhopea planted in the top and something that it can drip into on the bottom (something in soil) and removing the middle basket. My question is which Stanhopea would be the best for my conditions?

I want to hang it right in front of my south facing window. It's constantly bright, but with very little direct sun since there are other towering apartment buildings around me. So far, my Encyclia loves it there, but I burned one of my Phals setting it too close. The one I really want is a Stanhopea embrii, but I realize I'm limited due to my conditions and I'm not sure if this is the best choice. Does this sound feasible? Any suggestions for what might be good for a beginner?

[Tim]

I want to get one too but like you, not a ton of room... so the only advice I can give you is to find the smallest species available (althought this will still be quite large <^^>) Some of these guys can grow to monsterous sizes, but that will take awhile... Stanhopea wardii might be a good one: Stanhopea wardii Orchid

Good Luck

[isurus79]

The whole wardii/oculata complex is fairly easy, fairly common and thus inexpensive and can take pretty bright conditions. Jenishiana and tigrina/nigroviolacea also seem to do well with bright conditions and are common and easy, though they do seem to need a drier winter.

[Narnia]

Does embrii fall in with the wardii/oculata complex? Or is it different?

[isurus79]

Sorry, I just meant the oculata complex. Not wardii/oculata complex. I thought embreei was in there, but I'm not too sure. Jenny mentions graveolens, costaricensis, dodsoniana, whittenii and ruckeri, though I know there are others. I think inodora and panamensis is in there too, but not totally sure. Anyone with more cladistic experience want to jump in?

[Narnia]

Do you have a recommended vendor? I looked at both Andy's and Oak Hill and the selection isn't great for Stanhopeas. Maybe there's a place that specializes?

[isurus79]

Out here in Hawaii I buy my Stans from Tropical Orchid Farm (Tropical Orchid Farm), Lowes Orchids (Buy orchids online | Lowe's Orchids.) and I know that Kawamoto (Orchids - KawamotoOrchids.com - Honolulu, Hawaii) has a bunch of blooming size jenishianas and oculatas. Tropical Orchid Farm is where I get the majority of my Stanhopinae though. Most of what they have is list as smaller or near blooming size plants, but their greenhouse has TONS of blooming sized plants that are not on the list, though you would have to call and ask about them. I'm not sure what you are looking for in terms of orchid size, so its hard to say. As for mainland vendors, Ive never bought from any of them because of the cost of getting a phyto certificate. I know Doug Pulley (http://www.dpulleyorchids.com/) has a lot of Stans and he is in the lower 48.

[dvespertilio]

I second what Isurus79 says: Tropical Orchid Farms has the best stanhopeas in the business. I bought one of their stanhopea collections just this past spring, and one of the plants, though small, is already throwing a nice spike. If you check the thread on here called "Stanhopea nigroviolacea," you'll see my S. nigroviolacea that I purchased 5 years ago from Doug Pulley. His plants are primo, you can't get anything better than that. Good luck growing this fabulous family of orchids!

[smweaver]

Nina, as Steve mentioned, Tropical Orchid Farm does have nice stanhopeas--although I didn't know that they had blooming size plants that aren't listed on their website (which means I'll need to make a call later this afternoon after all of the Hawaiians have had a chance to get out of bed!). Wardii's a good beginner's plant, in my experience. I got mine from Andy's Orchids and it's a good size plant for the price. You can also try Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. They have a good selection of stanhopeas too and they'd be willing to talk to you about what would be most likely to do well for the environment you can provide. Good luck with your search.

Steve